20/04/2026
As higher education and public knowledge institutions evolve, library leaders face increasing pressure to adapt, innovate, and lead strategically.
The Library Leadership Summit 2026 addresses a critical gap—creating a regional, director-level platform for collaboration, peer learning, and leadership development.
Bringing together library leaders from across Africa, the Summit seeks to:
🔹 Provide a dedicated forum for library executives to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities in library leadership and management.
🔹 Foster cross-institutional collaboration through shared resource platforms, inter-library loan schemes, and co-developed projects.
🔹 Examine transformative trends such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital transformation, data ethics, sustainability, and the evolving role of libraries in open science and open education.
🔹 Strengthen leadership, governance, and management competencies, with pathways toward accredited leadership development.
🔹 Position libraries as strategic partners in national innovation systems, digital economies, and sustainable development agendas.
Summit structure
🔹 Pre-Engagement : Virtual networking preparatory webinars.
🔹 In-Person Summit (8 September 2026):
🔹 Keynote presentations by global thought leaders
🔹 Thematic panel discussions and case study sessions
🔹 Peer roundtables and action labs
🔹 Networking Excursion: A guided cultural experience in Cape Town designed to promote informal dialogue.
Post-Engagement (October 2026): Follow-up webinars focusing on policy advocacy and leadership mentoring
🗓️Date: 8 September 2026
📍Venue: Capetown, South Africa
✅Register at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/95JBSTT
🖥️More info: https://librariescd.itoca.org/summit.html
Be part of the conversation shaping the next chapter of libraries on the continent.